Hudson County residents are urged to turn on their outside lights, lock their doors, and join their local law enforcement officials for a night of public safety programs, food, and giveaways during this year’s National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.
By Sarah Introna/ Hudson County View
Also known as America’s Night Out Against Crime, the initiative encourages residents and public officials to work together to send a strong message that crime will not be tolerated.
In North Bergen from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., neighborhoods will be hosting block parties, distributing crime prevention information, glow sticks, t-shirts, food, and other giveaways at 1210 -11th St., on the John F. Kennedy School Yard; 6121-31 Grand Avenue in front of Lawler Towers and on Broadway Avenue between 73rd and 76th streets.
Mayor Nicholas J. Sacco, Public Safety Commissioner Theresa V. Ferraro, Chief of Police Robert J. Dowd, and many members of the North Bergen Police Department will be visiting the sites.
The West New York Police Department will host a block party at Miller Stadium on 57 Madison Street from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Keep a look out for McGruff, the crime-fighting dog, as well as a night of music, hot dogs, gifts and an opportunity to learn more about public safety from the local units.
The National Night Out started in 1984 in an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention, police-neighborhood relations, and to tell crime that communities are organized against crime, according to the organization’s website.
The program held on the first Tuesday of every August involves over 37 million people and  nearly 17,000 neighborhoods from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.
Union City is holding their block party event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m on Hudson Ave, from 45th to 48th street. They’re offering live performances, activities for children and free refreshments.
Hoboken’s annual National Night Out celebration will be dedicated to Detective Madhu Chohan who died of a brain tumor in 2013. He joined the force in 2003. Residents can enjoy a watermelon eating contest, bounce houses, water slides and more at Church Square Park beginning at 5 p.m.
Various police organizations and the Jersey City Police Department are partnering up with Mayor Steve Fulop to hold their parties and activities from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Audubon Park, Pershing Field, Arlington Park and Hamilton Park.
An obstacle course, bounce house, music, refreshments and mini-golf can be found in Bayonne. Residents may join in from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on, Del Monte Dr, between 23rd and 24th streets.
